Storage tank



C. A. ELLIS STORAGE TANK $ept. 1, 1942.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec 14, 1939 INVENTOR; Cid/ford dill/ 9.

FP 1942- c. A. ELLIS 2. 94.54

STORAGE TANK Filed Dec. 14, 1939 2 Sheets$heet 2 INVENTOR. ClffO/d ZZZZM ATTORNEY5 Patented Sept. 1, 1942 2,294,543.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STORAGE TANK Clifford A. Ellis, Ridgeileld, N. J., assignor to Graver Tank & Mtg. 00., Inc., Catasauqua, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application December 14, 1939, Serial No. 309,170 2 Claims- (01. 221-67) The invention relates to storage tanks and has av float which will maintain position 1 the reference more particularly to tanks for storing dividing line between the stored liquid and water, volatile liquids such as gasoline and the like. being partly submerged in both liquids, and

In ordinary closed tanks the volume of space which will move vertically as the tank is filled between the surface of the liquid and the roof and emptied, whereby said float will function-as varies inversely as the volume of the liquid in an indicator to show the proportion of volatile the tank. Evaporation of the liquid causes this liquid and water in the tank.

space to become filled with saturated vapors. A more specific objectis to provide a storage As a result of daily temperature changes expantank of the type described having an inlet-outlet sion of these vapors causes some to be expelled l0 conduit at its upper end for the passage of the to the atmosphere with fresh air being drawn instored liquid and having another conduit at its to the tank upon contraction. Frequent exlower end for the passage of the water and pansions and contractions of this nature are wherein means are provided having vertical known in the art as breathing and when coumovement in accordance with variations in the pled with repeated operations for filling the tank proportion of stored liquid and water within the a considerable quantity of the stored liquid may tank for substantially reducing the fiow of each be lost solely by evaporation. liquid as it is being withdrawn from its respec- The present invention prevents these breathtive conduit when the quantity of said liquid ing" and other losses by providing a storage tank remaining in the tank reaches a predetermined in which the gasoline or other liquid is stored low limit. over a quantity of water so as to maintain the A further object of the invention is to provide liquid in contact with the roof at all times rea tank havingfloat-controlled means of the chairgardless of whether the tank is being filled or acter described and which may be readily reemptied. Since the vapor space in the tank is moved for repair or replacement purposes. eliminated, evaporation of the liquid is efiec- Another object of the invention is to provide tively prevented. visual indicating means operated by float-con- The present invention is an improvement over trolled 'means within the tank and which will the storage tank shown'in my Patent No. 1,968,- register at all times the approximate quantity 6-73 granted July 31, 1934, wherein the liquid is of water and stored liquid within the tank. stored over a layer of water or other liquid of With these and various other objects in view, higher specific gravity than the stored liquid the invention may consist of certainnovel feaand which is also non-miscible with the stored tures of construction and operation, as will be liquid. The volatile liquid is pumped into the more fully described and particularly pointed tank and also withdrawn therefrom at a point out in the specification, drawings and claims apjust below the tank root and the depth of the pended hereto. water in the bottom of the tank is maintained In the drawings, which illustrate an embodiso that the liquid at all times is in contact with ment of the invention, and wherein like referthe roof, eliminating all vapor space within the ence characters are used to designate like tank; The roof is of the flexible or diaphragm partstype and its vertical movement is utilized to Figure l is a vertical sectional view showing a automatically regulate and control the flow of hydro-gasoline tank embodying the improved water into and out of the tank. features of the present invention;

It is an object of the present invention to im- Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional prove the above type of storage tank by providing view illustrating the construction and operation float-controlled means for substantially cutting of the float-controlled means-for the liquid outoil the flow of the volatile liquid from the tank lets; and when approximately all has been withdrawn to s Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view lookthereby prevent any water from passing over ing into the manhole opening for inserting the into the stored liquid line and-which will also float-controlled means within the tank. have operation to substantially cut off the flow 0 Referring to the drawings, the reference charof water when the water level reaches a predeacter I0 indicates a cylindrical tank having a termined low point in the tank, preventing any bottom II and a roof It. The roof I2 is a flexvolatile liquid from passing over into the water ible or diaphragm type of roof suitably secured 1 around its periphery B to the inside of the cylin- Another object of the invention is to provide drical tank. The roof is suitably supported in a concave position by rafters l4 extending radially inward toward the center of the tank and which are supported by the uprights or columns l5. The rafters terminateshort of the center of the tank so as to provide a circular opening within which is located the hollow float box or pontoon IS, the same being suitably secured to the roof l2 and having an inspection tube H. The roof is preferably fabricated of light steel plates and when not in its normal position is concave or dished, as shown in dotted lines in" Figure 1.

The central aperture l8 receives the upper end of a cylindrical pipe of relatively large diameter and of light weight and which is suitably secured to the roof so as to provide an air and water-tight joint therewith. It will be noted that the pipe passe through the pontoon l6 and with respect to this element an air and watertight joint is also provided. The inlet end of pipe 20, projecting. above the roof, is enlarged as at 2|, and the lower end of the pipe is guided by means of a base support 22 formed of triangular-shaped members 23 joined by a ring 24. The lower end of the pipe 20 passes through said ring and a similar ring 25 is suitably secured to the pipe so as to form a stop with the base support when the pipe assumes its low position. The pontoon l6, secured to the underside of the roof I2 and to the pipe 20, is of sufliciently large proportions to sustain the pipe in a floating position when the pontoon is entirely immersed in the volatile liquid stored in the tank. During.

the time the product is stored in the tank the same will exert an upward pressure on the roof and which will flex the roof upwardly to a slight extent. When this upward pressure is released the roof will flex downwardly.

In practice only a few ounces of pressure will be required to flex the roof upwardly and the distance through which the center portion moves is preferably limited so that the roof. will not be reversed in curvature and'caused to convex outwardly.

The liquid to be' stored is introduced into the tank and withdrawn therefrom through the pipe line 26 connected to the upper portion of the tank and preferably at a point so as to project within the opening formed by the manhole 21 normally closed by the cover 28. the pipeline 26 above the roof of the tank and although the same is provided with a depending end 29 having openings 30 the said openings are This positions positioned just slightly above the horizontal line formed by the roof. The conduit 26 is provided with an exterior manually operated valve 3| which must be opened when the stored liquid is withdrawn or admitted to the tank.

The water over which the liquid is stored is introduced into the bottom of the tank through pipe 20 and which is open at its lower end. The water is supplied to the roof l2 by the water supply line 32 having the float structure 33 for automatically actuating the supply valve 34. The outlet endof valve 34 terminates adjacent the roof l2 and is normally below the level of the water on the roof. In positions of the roof below its normal position, shown in full lines in Figure l, the water will flow over the edge of the enlarged inlet 2| which forms the intake end of the pipe 20. The upper level of the water on the roof I 2 is limited by means of an over-flow pipe 35. The pipe 36 extending upwardly from the roof l2 and having the valve 31 provides a vapor vent for the release of vapors from within the tank and the smaller upstanding pipe 38 reaches the outlets 30 of the pipe 26.

is provided so that sediment which will accumulate in the bottom of the tank can be gauged from time to time. Thewater is withdrawn from the tank I 0 through the pipe 40 having the manually actuated valve 4|, as best shown in Figure 2. Said pipe extends into the tank near the bottom thereof and is provided with an upwardly projecting portion 42 provided with openings 43. When it is desired to drain the tank the water is allowed to flow through the drain pipe 44 and which is also provided with a manually actuated valve identified by numeral 45.

During operation of the storage tank above described it is desired that the water should at all times remain above the outlets 43 in the pipe 40. Likewise when withdrawing the stored liquid the flow should be stopped before the water level The invention provides float-controlled means for accomplishing the above objects and which is guided in its vertical movement within the tank by guide wires 46 extending from the depending portion 29 to the upstanding portion 42. Each respective portion has suitably'secured thereto a collar having three equally spaced extensions 41, Figure 3, which extensions are slotted at their ends for receiving the wing nuts 48 to which are connected the respective ends of the guide wires 46. By using wing nuts the wires can be tensioned to facilitate movement of the float membet to be presently described and said wires can be readily released when it is desired to remove' the float member from the tank, For this purpose the manhole opening 21 in the top of the tank has been made considerably wider than would otherwise be necessary. It will be observed that, the pipe 26 enters the manhole opening at one end and normally the equipment'is maintained in alignment with thedepending end 29 of said pipe. The other end of the manhole opening is therefore availablewhen it is necessary to remove the guide wires and float memher for repair or replacement.

Referring to Figure 2, the float member 50 is shown in section. Said member comprises a hollow, preferably cylindrical receptacle which is adapted to float partly submerged in the water and partly submerged in the stored liquid. In other words, the member 50 will occupy a position on the line between the two liquids within the tank and any change in the proportion of said liquids will result in movement of the member vertically on the guide wires 46. The upper end of the float member 50 is provided with an up-turned cup 5| having a diameter just slightly greater than the diameter of the depending portion having the openings 30. The lower end of the member 50 is likewise provided with a cup 52 which in this case has its open end directed downwardly and which is just slightly larger than the portion having the water outlets 43 therein. In operation the cups 5| and 52 function to substantially reduce the flow or its respective liquid from the tank when th quantity of said liquid remaining reaches a predetermined low limit. Assuming that gasoline is being pumped into the tank through pipe 26 this accordingly requires water to be withdrawn through the openings 43 and pipe 40. As the water level descends the float member 50 will likewise descend until eventually the cup 52 will telescope the openings 43, materially reducing the flow of the water through said openings and which is an indication to the operator that the water within the tank has reached a low level below'which water s one-m t withdrawn. He is supplying 'the v olatile liquid andthen close thereupon cuts of! the flow oi the gasoline to the valve 4| in thewater outlet pipe. *As a result tank. The reverse operation of the float memthe roof will descend to allowliquid to overflow her is substantially the same. This takes place into. pipeioand by reason of the head main- I when the gasoline is being withdrawn from the 5 tained in pipe" water will flow into the tank to tank and water is being delivered to thejbctto bring the roof to its normal position.

of thetank from the roof through the pipe 20. It' will be observed that the manhole 21, ex- Wh'en almost all. the gasoline has been withtends upwardlyfrom the roof and that the voladrawn, and in order to prevent water irom pass- Q tile liquid is drawn'oii at a point above theh'oriing over into the gasoline line, the'float will have zontalline formedby the roof when in normal, reached an upper limit so as to cause cup 5| to position. As a result oithis structure it is postelescope the openings 30. when the flow is masible to wash the tank and to float th -foreign terially reduced, the operator closes valve 3| and particles up through the manhole opening, no more gasoline can flow from the tank. whereupon they can be easily removed orcan be The invention provides visual indicating ut m tically washed irom the tank by overmeans having connection with the float-member fl wing the manho e op ning, for which purpose so as to indicate at any time the roportion of t s necessary to remove thecover 28.

water and stored liquid within the tank. The In the typeof tank herein described the stored indicator 53 is suitably supported exteriorlyof v liquid is always in contact with the r001 and the tank, preferably near the bottom thereof, on since there is no vapor space in the tank the any'suitable support such as 54. A pipe 55 exevaporation oi the stored liquid is completely tends vertically from the indicator and by means ellmlnated- Moreover. a a et -01 Wat r is oi the elbow portion 55 the said pipe has conin d on the roof tqlnsulate e S nection with the manhole cover 28. The elbow against the heat of the sun and which also mainportion 55 may be readily disconnected from wins the Stored q d a a considerably lower a both the manhole cover and pipe 55 when it is pe u e than would otherwise be the case.

necessary to remove said cover. The cable 51 W h the float member hav Ve tically guided extends from the indicator 53 to the float memmovement within the tank in accordance with d ber 50, bein connected t the arm 58, Figure 3, variations in the proportion of stored'liquid and extending outwardly from the float member. In W means r prov f r au a l Drethe elbow portion 55 the cable passes over pulv t e fr m p ing ver into he volatile leys 59. As the float moves vertically within llq ld line and for also pr ng the'volatile the tank in accordance with variations in prollqllld from pass ng over into the water line.

portion of water and stored liquid the indicating Al o during operation of the tank the float mem means 53 is actuated and therefore it is possibl he! serves to actuate a visual indicator so that for the operator to know at all times the exact I he p rat r may know the approximate con-f. contents of the storage'tank. tent o the t 93 t m s.

l The roof remains in neutral position until more The invention is not to be limited to or by deliq d is withdrawn from the tank or until liquid tails of construction or the particular embodiis delivered to the tank for storage. It has been 40 men'fl thereof illustrated in the dr w s s varreviously explained that the action of the liquid 1 11s forms bathe device Will of course e- DDar-' within the tank is to exert an upward pressure ent o skilled n the art without depa tin on the root to flex the root upwardly a slight exm the spirit of the invention or the scope of tent. However, when the pressure is released the the claimsroof will flex downwardly. This latter condi- What lsclalmed is! 1 I tion occurs when either liquid is withdrawn from n a st ra e tank adapted to store a volathe tank. In the case of the stored liquid being e llquld ver a layer of water, means'deliverwithdrawn, movement of theroof downwardly 8 Water o the tank as t e Volatile q d is will allow water from the roof to enter pipe 20 withdrawn to maintain the tank substantially and flow from said pipe into the tank to take up filled, Waller Outlet Pip ated at the base of th space previously occupied by the stored liqthe tank for withdrawing water therefrom, a uid. As liquid is removed from the roof the float supply pipe at the upper end of the tank for in- 33 actuates valve 34 so "that more water is suptmduclng into and rawing from the'sarne plied to maintain the proper level on the roof. a volatile liquid, a float member adapted to float The above-operations continue until valve 3| is on the surface of the water to thereby assume a closed by the operator, shuttingofl further with position corresponding to the level ofthe water drawal of volatile liquid, whereupon any further within the tank, guiding means extending vertiwater supplied to the tank will cause the root cally or the tank and aligned with the terminal to flex upwardly to its normal position and 1111- end of the supply pipe and the water outlet pipe tomatically cut of! the supply or water to pipe for-guiding the said float member, and means 20. In theoperation of supplying volatile liquid fixed to the upper and lower end of the float I to the tank it will be understood that'water is member and adapted to telescope the terminal simultaneously withdrawn through the outlet endof said supply pipe and water outlet pipe pipe 40 and the space provided by the removal respectively, said float member and means 'flxed of water from the bottom 01. the tank is of course thereto operating automatically to substantially immediately taken up by the volatile liquid bein reduce the flow of each liquid respectively dursupplied at the upper portion of the tank. In ing withdrawal of the same in theevent the this case the roof maintains a substantially nor-, quantity of said liquid remaining in the tank mal position and only in the event the pressure reaches a predetermined low limit. d

' within the tank drops to an extent to allow the 2,1 1 a t g t nk fdr v latil li id a 5; roof to descend into a concave position does the therefor having a manhole opening extending roof function to supply water to the tank. It upwardly, means extending into saidjm nhol very often happens at the end or a filling opropening at a point above the horizontal plane. ation that the pressure on the roof drops since .iormed by the roof for introducing into a nd it is necessary to first shut off valve 3| in pipe 7 withdrawing from the tank a volatile liquid,

means delivering water to the bottom 01' said for guiding said float member in its vertical tank as the volatile liquid is withdrawn whereby movement so that the same will move in, aliensaid volatile liquid is stored over a layer 01 water ment with the terminal end or the supply means and the tank is maintained substantially full at for the volatile liquid and the outlet for the all times, an outlet for the Water located ad- 5 water, said float member being constructed and jacent the bottom of the tank, afloat member having operation to automatically reduce the adapted tosink in the volatile liquid but to float flow of each liquid respectively durin withon the surface of the water to thereby maindrawal oi thesame in the event the quantity of tain a position corresponding to the level 01' the said liquid remaining in the tank reaches a prewater within the tank, means depending from 10 determined low limit.

said manhole opening to the bottom 01' the tank CLIFFORD A. ELLIS. 

